CNBNews

UPDATE: 

As of early afternoon Atlantic City Electric was reporting more than 14,000 customers were without electric.

PSE&G was reporting more than 16,000 across its service area which stretches across more than half the state.

The winds have been produced by a strong cold front sweeping across New Jersey.

Utility officials blame the winds for the outages which began multiplying across the state before noon.

 There have been numerous reports of trees and utility poles brought down by the wind snapping electric lines.

CNB photo credit Chris Rodriguez  

GLOUCESTER CITY N.J. (CNBNewsnet)—A heavy rain storm accompanied by gale force winds hit the South Jersey/Philadelphia region earlier today. The wind was so strong, it destroyed the Gloucester City High School score board. There have been no reports of anyone being injured.